Intelligent audio output devices

ABSTRACT

An audio output device may include one or more audio sensors configured to detect ambient sound and noises around the audio output device. The audio output device may include a controller configured to analyze the detected sound and noises and may adjust audio settings of the audio output device accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller may analyze and recognize that the detected noise is another person&#39;s attempt to get the user&#39;s attention or to talk to the user, such as audio sound of the user&#39;s name. In response, the controller may stop the audio output or lower the volume of the audio output.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to audio output devices, and inparticular, to intelligent audio output devices that automaticallyadjust audio settings based on the surrounding environment and events.

Related Art

Audio output devices, such as ear phones, headphones, audio speakers,boom boxes, and the like, are widely used by consumers to listen tomusic or other audio presentations. When a user uses the audio outputdevices to listen to music or other audio presentations, the user maybecome less aware of the surrounding sound occurrences, such as whensomeone is calling the user or is attempting to obtain the user'sattention, especially if the user is wearing an over-the-ear or in-earaudio output device, such as headphones or earphones. As such, it may befrustrating for someone who is trying to get the user's attention. Thus,there is a need for an audio output device that intelligently adjustssound volume to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system suitable for implementing anintelligent audio output device card according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an intelligent audio outputdevice according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for implementing an intelligentaudio output device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingone or more components in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the detailed description that follows. Itshould be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identifylike elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, whereinshowings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of thepresent disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, an audio output device may include, one ormore audio sensors configured to detect ambient sound and noises aroundthe audio output device, including directionality of the sound. Theaudio output device may include a controller configured to analyze thedetected sound and noises and may adjust audio settings of the audiooutput device accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller may analyzeand recognize that the detected noise is another person's attempt to getthe user's attention or to talk to the user, such as audio sound of theuser's name. In response, the controller may stop the audio output orlower the volume of the audio output.

In an embodiment, the user may perform an initial set up of the audiooutput device by speaking a few words or sentences to the audio outputdevice. The audio output device may learn the user's voice and mayadjust audio settings when the user's voice is detected. For example,when the user begins to talk while listening to the audio output device,the controller may determine that the user is beginning a conversationwith another person and may lower the volume or pause the audio outputof the audio output device. When the user stops talking or when both theuser and the other person stops talking, the controller may resumeprevious audio settings after waiting for a predetermined amount oftime.

In an embodiment, the controller of the audio output device may monitorthe user's audio preference in view of the ambient noises or surroundingsounds. The controller may then learn the various audio settingpreferences of the user in view of the ambient noises or surroundingsounds. For example, the controller may detect that the user usuallyturns down the volume or stops the audio output when the user begins tospeak to another person. In another example, the controller may detectthat the user usually turns down the volume when another person callsthe user's name or nickname. The controller may monitor and learn theuser's preferences and may automatically adjust the audio output deviceaccordingly.

In an embodiment; the controller may detect that, the user preferscertain audio settings for certain type of location or certain ambientnoise. For example, the controller may detect that the user preferslight bass in the relatively quiet office environment and prefers heavybass when the user is in a moving vehicle, such as when the user isdriving in a car. In another example, the controller may detect that theuser prefers higher volume in a crowded coffee shop with lots ofpeople's voices and noises and prefers lower volume in a quiet library.

In an embodiment, the controller may detect that the user appears toconsider certain person's voices as important. For example, the user maystop the audio output or lower the audio volume when certain person'svoice is detected, such as a son, daughter, grandparent, supervisor,etc. The controller may learn a collection of important people's voicesfor the user. As such, when the controller detects the voice of one ofthe important people's voice, the controller of the audio output devicemay adjust the audio output settings accordingly to help the user hearthis voice, especially when the user is listening to loud audio music orsound.

In an embodiment, the audio output device may have multiple differentaudio output settings for different situations. For example, the audiooutput device may have a teleconference audio setting, a music audiosetting, an airplane audio setting, a driving audio setting, a phoneconversation setting and the like. The controller of the audio outputdevice may automatically switch to the appropriate settings based on thelearned user preferences and the detected ambient noise and/orsurrounding sounds.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 suitable for managing audiooutput devices according to an embodiment. System 100 may comprise orimplement a plurality of computers, devices, and/or software componentsthat operate to perform various audio controls, such as setting oradjusting an audio output level or starting/stopping an audio output.System 100 may include a user device 110 and an audio output device incommunication over wired or wireless communication. A user 105, such asa consumer, utilizes audio output device 10 to listen to various audiopresentations. For example, the user device 110 may store and/or receiveaudio information and may feed the audio information to the audio outputdevice 10 to be output from the audio output device 10. Although onlyone audio output device 10 is shown, a plurality of audio output devicesmay be connected to the user device 110 to output audio presentations.

User device 110 and audio output device 10 may each include one or moreprocessors, memories, and other appropriate components for executinginstructions such as program code and/or data stored on one or morecomputer readable mediums to implement the various applications, data,and steps described herein. For example, such instructions may be storedin one or more computer readable media such as memories or data storagedevices internal and/or external to various components of system 100

User device 110 may be implemented using any appropriate hardware andsoftware configured for wired and/or wireless communication over theinternet. For example, in one embodiment, user device 110 may beimplemented as a personal computer (PC), a smart phone, wearable device,laptop computer, and/or other types of computing devices capable oftransmitting and/or receiving data, such as an iPad™ from Apple™.

User device 110 may include one or more browser applications 115 whichmay be used, for example, to provide a convenient interface to permituser 105 to browse information available over the internet. For example,in one embodiment, browser application 115 may be implemented as a webbrowser configured to view information available over the Internet, suchas a user account for setting up a shopping list and/or merchant sitesfor viewing and purchasing products and services. User device 110 mayalso include one or more toolbar applications 120 which may be used, forexample, to provide client-side processing for performing desired tasksin response to operations selected by user 105. In one embodiment,toolbar application 120 may display a user interface in connection withbrowser application 115.

User device 110 may further include other applications 125 as may bedesired in particular embodiments to provide desired features to userdevice 110. For example, other applications 125 may include securityapplications for implementing client-side security features,programmatic client applications for interfacing with appropriateapplication programming interfaces (APIs) over the internet, or othertypes of applications.

Applications 125 may also include email, texting, voice and IMapplications that allow User 105 to send and receive emails, calls, andtexts through the interact or the telephone network, as well asapplications that enable the user to communicate, transfer information,make payments, and otherwise communicate and receive information forline management as discussed herein. User device 110 includes one ormore user identifiers 130 which may be implemented, for example, asoperating system registry entries, cookies associated with browserapplication 115, identifiers associated with hardware of user device110, or other appropriate identifiers, such as used forpayment/user/device authentication. In one embodiment, user identifier130 may be used by a payment service provider to associate user 105 witha particular account maintained by the payment provider. Acommunications application 122, with associated interfaces, enables userdevice 110 to communicate within system 100. User device 110 may includea short range wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth device,a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, a Near-Field Communication (NFC),WiFi communication module, and the like. For example, user device 110may communicate with the audio output device 10 wirelessly.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an audio output device 10according to one embodiment. The audio output device 10 may be aperipheral device, such as a headphone, an earphone, a speaker, or thelike, that is configured to be connected to the user device 110 toreceive and output audio presentations fed from the user device 110. Insome embodiments, the audio output device 10 may be a standalone deviceconfigured to output audio by reading a recording medium, such as CD,cassette, or by receiving digital signals by wired or wirelessly from anetwork or the Internet. In an embodiment, the audio output device 10may be a part of the user device 110. In some embodiments, the audiooutput device 10 may be connected to one or more other devicessimultaneously to output audio presentations from different devices.Non-limiting examples of audio output devices include a television, acar speaker, a portable speaker, a phone, a computing tablet, and aradio.

As shown in FIG. 2, the audio output device 10 may include a display 210configured to display information related to the audio settings andaudio presentations of the audio output device 10. The display 210 maybe an electrophoretic ink display or an LED display. In an embodiment,the display 210 may be a touch screen configured to receive user input.A battery 220 may be included with the audio output device 10. Thebattery 220 may be a replaceable battery, such as AAA battery, AAbattery, or the like. In an embodiment, the battery may be arechargeable battery. The battery 220 is configured to provide electricpower to the various components of the audio output device 10. In anembodiment, the battery 220 may be charged wirelessly by at a wirelesscharging station or charging pad. For example, the battery 220 may becharged while the audio output device 10 is placed on a charging pad orcharging station via inductive charging without being plugged in.

The audio output device 10 may include.; speaker 230 configured tooutput audio sound. In particular, the speaker 230 may includecomponents, such as a magnet, a voice coil, a diaphragm, an amplifier,and the like, that are configured to convert electrical signals intoaudio sound. The audio output device 10 may include an audio sensor 240.The audio sensor 240 may be configured to capture audio sound around theaudio output device 10. The audio sensor 240 may include anacoustic-to-electric transducer configured to convert sound intoelectrical signals. In some embodiments, the audio sensor 240 mayinclude an array of transducers configured to detect a direction of asound. The audio sensor 240 may include one or more of anelectromagnetic induction type transducer, a capacitive type transducer,and a piezoelectric type transducer.

The audio output device 10 also may include a communication device 250.The communication device 250 may include one or more of a Bluetoothcommunication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, a Near-FieldCommunication (NFC) module, a WiFi communication module, and the like.In some embodiments, the audio output device 10 may include wiredcommunication modules, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectionmodule, a mini USB connection module, an Ethernet communication module,various types of audio connections, such as an audio phone jack, abanana plug, RCA, TOSLINK, HDMI, and the like. As such, the audio outputdevice 10 may communicate with user device 110 or other devices via thecommunication device 250.

The audio output device 10 also may include an input device 260, such asa touch screen, buttons, microphone, and the like, configured to receivethe user 105's input. For example, the user 105 may enter various audiosettings and communication settings at the audio output device 10 viathe input device 260. The audio output device card 10 further mayinclude a controller 270. The controller 270 may include one or more ofa microprocessor and an integrated circuit, such as an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The controller 270 may includememories and processors configured to store and execute programs andapplications to control the operations of various components of theaudio output device 10.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for managing an intelligentaudio output. device according to one embodiment. At step 302, the audiooutput device 10 or the user device 110 may be set up to include or beassociated with the user 105's audio profile. The audio profile mayinclude the user 105's information, such as the user 105's name, theuser 105's default audio settings, and the user 105's audio preferencesat different situations or circumstances. For example, the user 105 mayset up different audio output modes for different locations orenvironments, such as a driving mode for driving in a car and a cafémode for listening to music in a coffee shop. In another example, theaudio profile may include different settings for when the audio outputdevice 10 is connected to different devices. For example, the audiooutput device 10 may have a mobile phone setting for connection to amobile phone and a laptop setting for connection to a laptop. The user105 may enter information for the audio profile at the audio outputdevice 10 or at the user device 110.

At step 304, the audio output device 10 or the user device 110 maymonitor and learn the audio settings preferred or set by the user 105 inview of the surrounding audio occurrences. In particular, the audiooutput device 10 may continuously monitor the ambient noises and/orsounds surrounding the audio output device 10 and the audio settings setby the user 105 for the various environments and audio occurrences. Forexample, the audio output device 10 may detect that the user 105 prefersheavy bass with the ambient noise of the interior of the car and thatthe user 105 prefers medium bass with the ambient noise of a café Inanother example, the audio output device 10 may learn that the user 105prefers lower volume in a relative quiet ambient noise inside a libraryand prefers louder volume in a relative louder ambient noise on astreet.

The audio sensor 240 may capture both the ambient noises of the locationor environment, such as the background sounds or noise that occursfrequently or constantly in the location or environment. The audiosensor 240 also may detect sound occurrences such as any audio soundthat is different or deviate from the ambient or background noise. Theambient noise may include outputs from a headphone, speaker, earphone,TV, etc., such various sound sources that are “on” in a room the user isin, or noises or the people or crowd, noises from air condition in aroom, noises from general street traffic, and the like. Soundoccurrences may include another user calling out to the user, a babycrying, a siren, a call for help, the user's name, doorbell, phone ring,gun shots, and any other sound that deviates from the background orambient noise. As such, the sound occurrences and the ambient noises maybe analyzed to determine the appropriate audio settings for the audiooutput device. For example, the volume level may be adjusted (reduce alittle, reduce a lot, shut off, pause) in response to a sound occurrenceor a change in ambient noise indicating a change in location orenvironment.

The audio output device 10 may monitor various audio occurrences, suchas the voice of the user 105 or the voices of people associated With theuser 105, phone rings, bells, TV noises, emergency sirens from police oremergency vehicles, and the like. Voice recognition and natural languageprocessing techniques may be used to analyze and derive meanings fromvoices or sounds captured by the audio output device 10. Thus, forexample, the audio output device 10 may learn that the user 105 turnsdown or turns off the volume when the user 105 is driving in a car andhears emergency sirens. In another example, the audio output device 10may learn that the user 105 turns down or turns off the volume when theuser 105 begins to speak or when another person calls the user 105'sname and begins to speak to the user 105. In still another example, theaudio output device 10 may learn that the user 105 turns off or turnsdown the volume when the user 105's phone rings or when the user beginsa phone conversation by saying the word “hello” into the phone. In yetanother example, the audio output device 10 may learn that the user 105turns off the volume, turns down the volume, pauses the sound, or stopsthe sound playback upon hearing a voice of a particular person, such asa son, daughter, grandparent, or boss. Thus, the audio output device 10may learn the various audio preferences of the user 105 based on theuser 105's interactions with the audio output device 110 in response tothe ambient sound and occurrences detected around the audio outputdevice 10. In an embodiment, the user 105 may actively set up and trainthe audio output device 10 to recognize certain occurrences. Forexample, the user 105 may speak into the audio output device 10 todesignate the user 105's voice and/or the user 105's name during theinitial set up process of the audio output device 10. In anotherexample, the user 105 may have others speak into and record their voicesas ones who would cause sound to be lowered or stopped.

At step 306, the audio output device 10 or the user device 110 mayconstruct and update user audio preferences. In particular, based on themonitored user interactions with the audio output device 10 and audiosetting-adjustments made by the user 105 in view of the surroundingsound or occurrences detected by the audio sensor 240, the controller270 may construct various audio preferences of the user 105 accordingly.In an embodiment, the controller 270 may calculate a probability scorefor an audio setting based on the detected surrounding environment: Forexample, based on the audio setting history, the controller 270 maydetermine that there is 85% probability that the user 105 prefers lowervolume in a quiet ambient environment inside a library and that there isa 70% probability that the user 105 prefers loud bass in a moving car.In another example, the controller 270 may determines that there is a90% probability that the user 105 prefers lower output volume at theaudio output device 10 when the user 105's name is called by anotherperson. The controller 270 may implement the user 105's preference whenthe calculated probability exceeds a threshold, such as 80%.

At step 308, the audio output device 10 may monitor the ambient noisesor occurrences surrounding the audio output device 10. The audio soundsmay be captured by the audio sensor 240 and may be analyzed by thecontroller 270. The controller 270 may use audio filters, voicerecognition, and/or natural language processing to determine the meaningand context of the ambient noise and sounds. The controller 270 maycapture the ambient noise and may compare the current ambient noise withthat of the previously monitored ambient noise to determine whether thecurrent ambient noise is one that required audio adjustment. Forexample, when the user 105 is in a noisy airport, the controller 270 maydetect the noisy ambient noise at the airport and may compare the noisyambient noise with the various ambient noise profiles previouslyobserved by the controller 270. If the user 105 has an ambient noiseprofile for the airports, the controller 270 may adjust the audiosettings of the audio output device 10 according to the user 105'spreference for the matching ambient noise profile.

In an embodiment, the controller 270 may capture the various soundoccurrences, such as voice, rings, beeps, sirens, TV audio, radio, andother sound occurrences. The controller 270 may compare the currentsound occurrence with the sound profiles previously observed by thecontroller 270. If there is a matching sound profile, the controller 270may adjust the audio settings of the audio output device 10 according tothe user 105's preference for that matching sound profile. For example,the controller 270 may detect a voice calling for the user 105's name.The controller 270 may recognize the user 105's name by voicerecognition and natural language processing. In another example, thecontroller 270 may recognize the user 105's or another's voice and whenthe user 105 or another begins to talk or speak.

At step 310, the audio output device 10 may adjust the audio settingsbased on the user 105's audio preference and the detected ambient noiseand/or sound occurrences around the audio output device 10. In anembodiment, after analyzing the sound occurrences and ambient noises,the controller 270 may compare and determine whether the soundoccurrences and ambient noises matches with ones previously designatedfor certain audio settings. If so, the controller 270 may adjust theaudio settings of the audio output device 10 accordingly. In particular,the controller 270 may calculate a similarity score between the detectedambient noise and/or sound occurrence with the ones previouslydesignated for specific audio settings. The higher the similarity scorethe more likely the detected ambient noise and/or sound matches the onesdesignated for specific audio settings. The controller 270 may adjustthe audio settings accordingly when the similarity score exceeds acertain number.

In an embodiment, when the controller 270 determines that the soundoccurrence resembles the user 105's voice indicating that the user 105is starting to talk, the controller 270 may automatically lower thevolume of the audio output device 10. When the user 105's voice isdetected, the controller 270 may monitor the voice for several secondsbefore adjusting the volume, in order to ensure that the user 105 isactually starting a conversation. When the conversation ends, such asthat the user 105's voice and the other people's voices no longer aredetected, the controller 270 may adjust the volume of the audio outputdevice 10 back to the previous level.

In an embodiment, when the controller 270 detects a voice resembling theuser 105's name or nickname, the controller 270 may automatically lowerthe volume of the audio output device 10. As such, the user 105 may hearthe voice calling the user 105. The controller 270 may continue tomonitor the interactions between the user 105 and the other users todetermine whether they are starting a conversation. If so, thecontroller 270 may keep the audio output device 10 at low volume. Whenthe controller 270 detects that the conversation has ended (no morevoices detected), the controller 270 may then return the volume back tothe previous level. In some embodiments, the controller 270 may rememberthe voices-of the other people who called and conversed with the user105. As such, the controller 270 may better recognize the voices ofpeople who are related to and who are important to the user 105.

In an embodiment, the controller 270 may detect that a doorbell or aphone is ringing. The controller 270 may lower the volume of the audiooutput device 10 such that the user 105 may hear the ring. In someembodiments, the controller 270 may recognize the type of doorbell orthe ring type of the user 105's phone. This may be learned or may beinput by the user 105.

In an embodiment, the audio output device 10 may be implemented and/orinstalled in a vehicle. The controller 270 may detect that the user 105is driving in a car based on the detected ambient noise. The controller270 may monitor sound occurrences while the user 105 is driving. Thecontroller 270 may detect a siren and may automatically lower the outputvolume of the audio output device 10, such that the user 105 may be ableto hear the siren and may take caution for any emergency vehiclespassing by. In particular, the controller 270 may determine whether theemergency vehicle is approaching in a direction toward the user 105based on the increasing intensity of the siren (increasing in decibel).The controller 270 may decrease or increase the volume of the speaker230 based on whether the siren is approaching, toward or departing fromthe user 105.

In another embodiment, the controller 270 may detect honking from othervehicles and may lower the output volume of the audio output device 10,such that the user 105 may take caution for other vehicles travelingaround the user 105's vehicle. Other sound occurrences, such as bells atrailroad crossings or other sounds that may require the user 105's extraattention, may also cause the controller 270 to lower the output volumeof the audio output device 10.

In an embodiment, the controller 270 may detect that the user 105 is ina noisy café or at a noisy party based on the ambient noise. Thecontroller 270 may automatically adjust the bass and the volume of theaudio output device 10 based on how noisy the café or the party is. Insome embodiments, the controller 270 may increase the volume or basssetting when the party or the café becomes noisier. However, whensomeone calls the user 105's name in the noisy café or noisy party, thecontroller 270 may lower the volume and/or bass, such that the user 105may hear the person calling out to the user.

In an embodiment, the audio output device 10 may be linked or pairedwith multiple different devices, such as a mobile phone, a laptop, and acar. Each of the mobile phone, the laptop, and the car may feeddifferent audio presentations to the audio output device 10. Thecontroller 270 may select the appropriate audio feed to output. Forexample, the user 105 may be listening to music fed from the laptop.When a call is received at the mobile phone, the audio output device 10may switch to the mobile phone to allow the user 105 to take the call.When there is certain information, such as vehicle maintenance info,that needs to be communicated to the user 105, the audio output device105 may switch to the audio feed of the car.

Accordingly, the controller 270 may monitor and analyze various ambientnoises and sound occurrences around and external to the audio outputdevice 10 and may adjust the audio settings of the audio output device10 automatically to provide convenience to the user 105. In particular,the user 105's audio preferences may be learned from the user 105'sinteractions with the audio output device 10 and/or from user input.

In other embodiments, sound adjustment of the audio output device 10depends on one or more of a directionality of sound, intensity or volumeof sound, type of sound (crying, sirens, etc.), meaning of words(conveying urgency, conveying a request of the user's attention, etc.),who or what the sound is corning from (e.g., son, daughter, grandparent,boss), and the like from the audio output device 10 and/or anotherdetected audio source (device, human, or animal). For example, an audiosource away from the user and emitting sound away from the user may notnecessarily need sound adjustment (or minimal adjustment) even thoughthat audio source detects another sound source intended for the userbecause one or more of the factors above indicates adjusting the audiosound source would not provide any advantages to the user. In otherembodiments, a plurality of audio output devices 10 may be adjustedtogether to provide a desired outcome for the user. For example, one ormore audio output devices may be lowered in volume, one or more otheraudio output devices may be paused, and one or more audio output devicesmay be paused or shut off, all based on detection of one or more soundsfrom other audio source(s). [Dan, if you can, please provide someexamples based on the above.]

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system 400 suitable forimplementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Invarious implementations, the user device may comprise a personalcomputing device (e.g., smart phone, a computing tablet, a personalcomputer, laptop, PDA, Bluetooth device, key FOB, badge, etc.) capableof communicating with the network. The merchant and/or payment providermay utilize a network computing device a network server) capable ofcommunicating with the network. It should be appreciated that each ofthe devices utilized by the users may be implemented as computer system400 in a manner as follows.

Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information data, signals, and information betweenvarious components of computer system 400. Components include aninput/output (I/O) component 404 that processes a user action, such asselecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons orlinks, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus 402. I/O component404 may also include an output component, such as a display 411 and acursor control 413 (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). Anoptional audio input/output component 405 may also be included to allowa user to use voice for inputting information by converting audiosignals. Audio I/O component 405 may allow the user to hear audio. Atransceiver or network interface 406 transmits and receives signalsbetween computer system 400 and other devices, such as another userdevice, a merchant device, or a payment provider server via network 160.In one embodiment, the transmission is wireless, although othertransmission mediums and methods may also be suitable. A processor 412,which can be a micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), orother processing component, processes these various signals, such as fordisplay on computer system 400 or transmission to other devices via acommunication link 418. Processor 412 may also control transmission ofinformation, such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices.

Components of computer system 400 also include a system memory component414 (e.g., RAM), a static storage component 416 (e.g., ROM), and/or adisk drive 417. Computer system 400 performs specific operations byprocessor 412 and other components by executing one or more sequences ofinstructions contained in system memory component 414. Logic may beencoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 412 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Invarious implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magneticdisks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memorycomponent 414, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 402. In oneembodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readablemedium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, andinfrared data communications.

Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example,floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EEPROM,FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other mediumfrom which a computer is adapted to read.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution ofinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may beperformed by computer system 400. In various other embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a plurality of computer systems 400 coupled bycommunication link 418 to the network (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN,and/or various other wired or wireless networks, includingtelecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may performinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordinationwith one another.

Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosuremay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardwareand software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware componentsand/or software components set forth herein may be combined intocomposite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable,the various hardware components and/or software components set forthherein may be separated into sub-components comprising software,hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated thatsoftware components may be implemented as hardware components andvice-versa.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as programcode and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readablemediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may beimplemented using one or more general purpose or specific purposecomputers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Whereapplicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may bechanged, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-stepsto provide features described herein.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosureto the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, itis contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modificationsto the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or impliedherein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus describedembodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is limited only by the claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for automatically controlling an audiooutput device, comprising: monitoring audio occurrences in anenvironment; determining whether a current audio setting of the audiooutput device is associated with the monitored audio occurrences in theenvironment; and when it is determined that the current audio setting ofthe audio output device is not associated with the monitored audiooccurrences in the environment: comparing the monitored audiooccurrences with one or more additional audio settings of the audiooutput device; and automatically adjusting an output of the audio outputdevice based, at least in part, on the one or more additional audiosettings.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the current audio settingand the one or more additional audio settings are associated with anaudio profile.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the audio profileincludes information about audio settings for a particular environment.24. The method of claim 22, wherein the audio profile includesinformation about audio settings for a particular location.
 25. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising determining a device that isconnected to the audio output device.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein the device is associated with at least one audio setting. 27.The method of claim 21, wherein the audio occurrences in the environmentare ambient noises.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the audiooccurrences in the environment are spoken commands.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the audio occurrences in the environment are alerts.30. An audio output device, comprising: at least one processor; and amemory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method,comprising: monitoring audio occurrences in an environment using atleast one audio sensor; determining, by the at least one processor,whether a current audio setting of the audio output device is associatedwith the monitored audio occurrences in the environment; and when it isdetermined that the current audio setting of the audio output device isnot associated with the monitored audio occurrences in the environment:comparing the monitored audio occurrences with one or more additionalaudio settings of the audio output device; and automatically adjustingan output of the audio output device based, at least in part, on the oneor more additional audio settings
 31. The audio output device of claim30, further comprising a display screen configured to accept input tochange the current audio setting.
 32. The audio output device of claim30, wherein each of the one or more additional audio settings areassociated with a probability.
 33. The audio output device of claim 30,wherein the audio sensor is configured to perform voice recognition onthe audio occurrences.
 34. The audio output device of claim 30, whereinthe audio sensor is configured to determine a direction from which theaudio occurrences originate.
 35. The audio output device of claim 34,wherein at least one of the one or more audio settings is associatedwith the direction.
 36. A method for automatically controlling an audiooutput device, comprising: detecting an audio occurrence in anenvironment; determining a current audio setting of the audio outputdevice; determining whether the audio occurrence is associated with thecurrent audio setting of the audio output device or whether the audiooccurrence is associated with a different audio setting of the audiooutput device; and when it is determined that the audio occurrence isassociated with the different audio setting, automatically adjusting anoutput of the audio output device to conform with the different audiosetting of the output device.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein theaudio occurrence is a spoken word.
 38. The method of claim 36, whereinthe audio occurrence is an alert.
 39. The method of claim 36, whereinthe audio occurrence is ambient noise.
 40. The method of claim 36,further comprising automatically returning to the current audio settingwhen the audio occurrence has ended.